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Background: Women living with ostomies face altered function and appearance of their bodies resulting in social challenges as well as altered self-perception of body image.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of living with a stoma on self-perception of body image among females and well as identify current and proposed interventions to promote a positive body image in this population.

Results: Many women experience negative self-perception of body image following stoma surgery. In a comparison of genders, women express concerns of appearance, body image, and social embarrassment more frequently than men. Factors associated with negative body image were appearance of the stoma or ostomy, odor, and leakage. Positive social support, adaptation of daily routines, and acceptance of altered appearance were common interventions women found helpful in adjusting to their altered bodies.

Conclusion: This integrative literature review revealed several factors that are associated with negative self-perception of body image in female patient with ostomies, however, concrete interventions by nurses to promote positive body image are not well addressed. Knowledge of this information will allow nurses to care for the mental well-being of female patients after stoma surgery.

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Background: Women living with ostomies face altered function and appearance of their bodies resulting in social challenges as well as altered self-perception of body image.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of living with a stoma on self-perception of body image among females and well as identify current and proposed interventions to promote a positive body image in this population.

Results: Many women experience negative self-perception of body image following stoma surgery. In a comparison of genders, women express concerns of appearance, body image, and social embarrassment more frequently than men. Factors associated with negative body image were appearance of the stoma or ostomy, odor, and leakage. Positive social support, adaptation of daily routines, and acceptance of altered appearance were common interventions women found helpful in adjusting to their altered bodies.

Conclusion: This integrative literature review revealed several factors that are associated with negative self-perception of body image in female patient with ostomies, however, concrete interventions by nurses to promote positive body image are not well addressed. Knowledge of this information will allow nurses to care for the mental well-being of female patients after stoma surgery.

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